Creamy Croatian Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• Croutons or fresh herbs, for garnish Croutons or fresh herbs, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 6g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. 3.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and add the paprika and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaves from the pot. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the soup until smooth.
6. 6.
   Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream. Heat the soup over low heat until warmed through.
7. 7.
   Serve the Creamy Croatian Soup hot, garnished with croutons or fresh herbs for added texture and flavor.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to peel and cube the potatoes evenly to ensure they cook uniformly in the soup.
• Heavy cream — For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream.

Tips & Tricks

• For a touch of smokiness, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the soup.
• If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can reserve some of the cooked vegetables before blending and add them back into the soup after blending.
• To make the soup more filling, you can add cooked shredded chicken or crumbled bacon as a topping.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Croatian Soup as a comforting and satisfying main course. Pair it with a crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

When serving the Creamy Croatian Soup, ensure it is ladled into bowls with a smooth and velvety consistency. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a few croutons to add a pop of color and texture.